M51. What went wrong?

[earth titan]

Looks like I have some reading and playing to do. That is a superb image and all the little wizards out there have only improved it. Wonder what I can do with my paltry efforts....

[pixueto]

Ah thats why you had such steep gradient then:) Anyway, what a result for 21 minutes exposure Pix! I also can't wait to see what happens when you spend 2 hours on this object:D

Well, unless Cloudwatcher helps me with his impressive processing skills... I've got lots of reading to do but I don't know where to start! I wonder how he or she managed to get all that detail from the original picture!